St. Joseph Center's Homeless Service Center has provided a compassionate response to the needs of homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica and other West Los Angeles communities since 1981. It is the hub of the Center's efforts to help people get off the street into a safer and healthier environment.

Homeless Service Center starts by providing basic services. Here, homeless men and women can make a reservation to eat at Bread and Roses Café, do a load of laundry, take a shower and have access to phone and mail service. Through meetings with our staff, they can also be connected with emergency shelter, medical care, and mental health and substance abuse treatment. They can also receive help with transportation and advocacy to apply for government benefits.

Homeless individuals who are ready to make long-term change may enroll in case management. Service plans developed jointly by the individual and the case manager assess each person's strengths and needs and lay out a pathway to long-term stability and increased self-sufficiency by addressing issues such as permanent housing, job training, employment and ongoing treatment.

With compassion, care and attention to the individual needs of each person, homeless individuals are helped to move toward greater health, safety and stability.

Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers at Homeless Service Center provide many important services that support direct care and free up staff to meet with clients. They may sort mail, distribute clean clothes, greet participants with coffee or help participants sign up for services. Most importantly, they can provide a smile and a friendly word.